Ear-corn straightener and feeder for corn-husking machines and the like.



w. G. PETERS.

EAR CORN STRAIGHTENER AND FEEDER FOR CORN HUSKING MACHINES AND THE LIKE. APPLICATION FILED APR. 5, 1915.

1,202,218. Patnted Oct. 24,1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

INVENTOR William G. Peters,

ms mwR/S PETERS cm. PHOYD-LITHQ. wAsumc mzv, n. c.

W G. PETERS. EAR CORN STRAIGHTENER AND FEEDER ,FOR CORN HUSKING MACHINES AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FIL ED APR-5, 1915 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Patented Oct. 24, 1916.

ATTORNEY sNINc nm, a. c

W. G. PETERS. EAR CORN STRAIGHTENER AND FEEDER FOR CORN HUSKlNG MACHINES AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 5. 1915. 1,202,218, Patented Oct. 24,1916.

' 3 SHEETS--SHEET 3 INVENTOR William G. Peters,

M J ATTORNEY m r mmms PETERS ca.. Puma-u run" wnsn ma mu :1. c

UNITED STATES PATENT ,oEEIo WILLIAM G. PETERS, GF DECATUR, iLLINTOIS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 24, 1916.

Application filed April 5, 1915. Serial No. 19,119.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, l/VILLIAM G. PETERS, a resident of Decatur, county of Macon, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ear-Corn Straighteners and Feeders for Corn-Husking Machines and the like, of which the fol lowing is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements" in mechanisms for husking ear corn and particularly, to feeding mechanism for such dev1ces.

The present object of this invention is the provision of feeding mechanism for corn husking devices, which feed the ears of corn upwardly along the husking rolls.

A further object is the provision of feeding means including members, which feed the ear corn upwardly along the husking rolls and which have projectable and retractable fingers, which are projected on the upward feeding movement and retracted on the downward movement of the feeding means.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a plurality of feeding bars or members which are adapted to be reciprocated alternately in an upward and downward direction along the husking rolls and which have projectable and retractable fingers which are projected on the upward feeding movement of the members and retracted on the downward movement thereof.

A further object is the provision of a feeding bar or member provided with projections shaped so as to straighten the ear corn and position it properly with respect to the husking rollers for efiicient action thereby.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a feeding mechanism which may be applied to various existing forms of husking machines or corn harvesters, without the necessity of material reconstruction.

A further object'is the provision of such a mechanism which is simple in construction, whereby allunnecessary parts and con veying means are eliminated, this being due to the fact that the mechanism feeds upwardly along the husking rolls.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as may hereinafter appear, my invention consists in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, and then sought to be defined in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, and which shows merely for the purpose of illustrative disclosure, a preferred embodiment of my invention, it being understood that various changes may be made in practice within the scope of the claims, without digressing from my inventive idea.

In the drawings :Figure 1 represents a plan view of a device constructed according to my invention, applied to a corn husking mechanism, the latter being shown generally; Fig. 2 is'a side elevation thereof; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the intermediate feeder member or bar; Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal section of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the supporting track for the intermediate feeder member or bar; Fig. 6 is a vertical transverse section through the intermediate feeder member or bar taken on line AA of Fig. 4:; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one of the feeding fingers; Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are perspective views of details; Fig. 11 is a plan view of part of the intermediate feeder member or bar, the cover plate being removed; 'Fig. 12 is a similar view of one of the end or side feeder bars or members; Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the extension or fender cover plate for the intermediate feeder member or bar. Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the cover plate for the lower portion of the intermediate feeder member or bar, showing the feeding and straightening projections thereon; Fig. 15 is a similar view of the cover plate for the lower portion of one of the side or end feeder members or bars.

Referring to the drawings, particularly Figs. 1 and 2, it is seen that I have disclosed in a general way, one form of a corn husking device. This includes the pairs of husking rollers 1 which are suitably mounted in the frame work 2. Means are of course provided for rotating thesehusking rollers and, as shown, they are positioned on an incline to deliver the ears of corn upwardly to the discharge chute 3.

In my invention the unhusked ears are delivered to the lower end of the husking rolls, the receiving hopper 4 being provided for that purpose. The feeding means moves the ears of corn upwardly with an intermittent motion, and includes the intermediate feeder member or bar 5 and the side feeder members i or bars 6. These areconnected by links 7' vertical flanges 12 suitably spaced apart to receive therebetween the supporting roller members 13 which are journaled on the short shafts 14:. These roller members rest upon and run on the track memberlo which is suitably secured to the frame 2 of the husking mechanism and is preferably in the form of T-iron as shown in section in Fig. 6, having the lateral flanges 16. The guiding clip members 17 are. secured to the angle iron members 10 and have the flange portions 18 to engage under the flanges 16 of the T-iron, as shown particularly in Fig. 6. This intermediate feeder member or bar is provided with a cover plate or member 19, shown in detail in Fig. 14L. It has the plurality of pyramidal projections 20, having the abrupt edge 21, this edgebeing the upper edge of each projection 20 and assisting in the upward feed of the corn. This cover plate only eXtendS for a portion of the length of the intermediate feeder member or bar, the upper portion of this intermediate feeder member or bar, having the box-like cover member 22, shown in detail in Fig; 13, having the end wall 23 and the sidewalls 24, and adapted to receive the link 7 which is pivotally connected to the bracket member 25. This box-like cover member 22 acts as a fender to keep the ear corn in contact with the husking rolls and away from the link 7. This intermediate feeder member or bar 5 is also provided with projectable and retractable fingers 26, shown in detail in Fig. 7. Theserfingers have the journal or sleeve portions 27 to receive the pivot bolts 28 and also have the engaging extensions 29. provided with the upright flanges or engaging portions 30. The journal portion of each finger is provided with the suitable stops or abutments 31 and 32 which are adapted to engage the vertical flanges 12 ofthe angle iron members 10, so as to limit the movement of these fingers in either direction. These fingers are disposed with the flange or engaging portions 30 toward the upper end of the husking rolls, as seen particularly in Fig.3.

The side feeder members or bars are similarly constructed with the exception'that instead of being symmetricalor having the parts duplicated on both sides,the parts are The detailed only provided on the one side, as seen on reference to Figs. 1 and 12. In these members i utilize the angle iron member 33 and the spaced bar or member 3% receiving therebe tween the supporting rollers 35. These members also have the cover plate 36 for approximately the lower half thereof, which is similar to the cover plate '19, correspondingin form to one-half of said cover plate 19, and having the pyramidal projections 37 .vith the abrupt edges 38 to assist in feeding the ears upwardly. These side members are also provided with the additional cover member 39 for their upper portion which has the end wall to and the side wall 41. This acts as a fender for the ear corn the same as in the intermediate feeder member or bar. These side feeder members or bars are provided with the feeding fingers 42 on their inner side only and also have a suitable track or support for the rollers 35. These pyramidal projections 20 and 37 have the sides sloping away from the apex so that if ears of corn are discharged thereon into position transverse to the bushing rollers, they will immediately be straightened so as to be placedin proper position for the husking operation. This is a material feature of this invention and adds to the practicability and efficiency of the mechanism.

The feeding fingers 26 and 42 are mounted so that they will be in a projected position during the upward movement of the feeder members or bars and will be forced inwardly to their retracted position on the the intermediate feeding bar or member is moving upwardly, the fingers 26 being projected and in position to engage the ears of corn, while the fingers d2 areforced inwardly out of the path of movement of the cornwhich .is being carried upwardly by the intermediate feeder bar or member. The cover plates 22 and'39 form guides or fenders for retaining the ear corn in contact with the husking rollers and preventing interference with the operation of the links 7. The sloping sides of the pyradimal projections cause the ears to move or be turned toward the bushing rolls at all times and thereby assist in effecting the proper operation of the mechanism.

It is seen therefore, that I have provided a mechanism for use in connection with corn huskers, which will feed the ear corn upwardly and ppsitively with ail-intermittent or step-by-step movement. This arrangement obviates the necessity of utilizing additional conveyers or conveying means to deliver the unhusked ear corn to the top of the husking rolls, thereby materially reducing the expense of the devices and the complication of parts necessary to provide a complete machine. By this construction, the ears of corn are straightened to proper position for husking relative to the husking rolls and are subjected to the action of the husking rolls for a sufficient length of time to remove every vestige of the husks and deliver the ears of corn clean. It is also to be noted that devices constructed according to my invention may be readily applied to any type of corn husking machinery witlrfacility and without the ne cessity of material expense and labor.

What I claim is:-

1. A mechanism of the character decribed, including in combination a plurality of inclined husking rolls, means for feed ing ears of corn upwardly on said husking rolls, including a plurality-of feeding members having projectable and retractable fingers, and means for reciprocating said feeding members, said fingers being projected on the upward strokes of said feeding members and retracted on the downward strokes.

2. A. mechanism of the character described, including in combination a frame or support, a plurality of inclined husking rolls mounted therein, means for feeding ears of corn upwardly on said husking rolls including a plurality of feeding members mounted to reciprocate on the frame, and means for reciprocating said feeding members in alternation, said feeding members each having a plurality of projectable and retractable fingers.

3. A mechanism of the character described, including in combination, a frame or support, a plurality of inclined husking rolls mounted therein, means for feeding ears of corn upwardly on said husking rolls including a plurality of feeding members mounted to reciprocate on the frame, and means for reciprocating said feeding members in alternation, the intermediate feeding member having a plurality of projectable and retractable fingers on each side and the side feeding members having a plurality f projectable and retractable fingers on their inner sides, said fingers being adapted to be projected on the upward movement of said members and to be retracted on the downward movement thereof.

i. In a mechanism of the character described, a reciprocable feeding member having feeding fingers pivotally mounted thereon adapted to be projected on the feeding movement of said member and to be retracted on the return movement of said member, said member also having a cover member for part of its length provided with stepped portions and having an additional cover member for the remainder of its length to guide and fendthe ears of corn.

5. In a mechanism of the character described, a reciprocable feeding member having feeding fingers pivotally mounted thereon adapted to be projected on the feeding movement of said member and to be retracted on the return movement of said member, said member also having a cover member for part of its length provided with stepped portions and having an additional cover member for the remainder of its length to guide and fend the ears of corn, said additional cover member having extended end and side walls.

6. In combination in a mechanism of the character described, a plurality of husking rolls, reciprocable feeding members mounted between said husking rolls and having a plurality of pyramidal projections thereon,

the side faces of said projections sloping toward said husking rolls, the front face sloping in the longltudinal direction of said feeding member and the upper face being 5 abrupt and substantially vertical.

7.1%. mechanism of the character described, including in combination a frame or support, a plurality of inclined husking rolls mounted therein, means for feeding aears of corn upwardly on said husking rolls including a plurality of feeding members mounted to reciprocate on the frame, said feeding members having rollers to engage portions of said frame and clips to engage portions thereof to guide said feeding members, and means for reciprocating said feeding members.

8. A mechanism of the character described, including in combination a frame or support, a plurality of inclined husking rolls mounted therein, means for feeding ears of corn upwardly on said husking rolls including a plurality of feeding members mounted to reciprocate on the frame, said feeding members each including a pair of spaced supporting members, rollers journaled therebetween to run on portions of said frame, and cover plates for said supporting members formed to assist in the feeding and means for reciprocating said feeding members.

porting members and means for reciprocating sald feeding members.

10. A' mechanism of the .character. de-

scribed, including in combination a frame mounted to reciprocate on the frame, said feeding members each including a pair of spaced supporting members, rollers "iour-r naled therebetween to run on portions of said frame, and cover plates for said supporting members formed to assist in the feeding, said supporting members including an angle iron, finger members pivoted to the horizontal flange thereof and having stops adapted to engage the vertical flange to limit the movement of said fingers and means for reciprocating said feeding members.

11. A mec'hanism' of the character described, including in combination a frame or support, a plurality of inclined 'husking rolls mounted therein, means for feeding ears of'corn upwardly on said husking rolls including a plurality of feeding members mounted to reciprocate ,on the frame, said feeding members each including a pair of spaced supporting members, rollers iournaled therebetween to run on portions of said frame, and cover plates for said supporting members formed to assist in the feeding, said supporting members including horizontal flange thereof and having stops adapted to engage the vertical flange to limit I the movement of said fingers and cover plates for said supporting members shaped to assist the feeding and means for reciprocatin' said feeding members.

12'. In combination in a mechanism of the character described, a plurality of husking rolls, reciprocable feeding members mounted between said husking rolls and having a plurality of pyramidal projections thereon. the side faces of said projections sloping toward said husking rolls, the front face sloping in the longitudinal direction of said :t'eeding member and the upper face being abrupt and substantially vertical, said feedingmember also having a fending portion to assist in guiding the ears of corn.

13. In a mechanism of the character described, a reciprocable feeding member having a cover provided with stepped portions for part of its length and with a guiding andfending portion for the remainder of its length, said feeding member also being provided with a plurality of fingers pivotally connected thereto so as .to be projected laterally and retracted.

In testimony whereof I sign my name in the presence of tWo subscribing Witnesses.

' VILLIAM G. PETERS. itnesses N. GRAHAM, THOMAS C. TOWNEND.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commiss oner of Patents,

' Washington, 1L0. 

